“All of the girls will not fit into one of the tents, therefore, the others should sleep in one of the boy's tents. Talk among yourselves about who will be sleeping in that tent. I will have the other boys transfer.” Mr. Mark, the coordinator of boys scout pointed at Vladimir’s tent
“Let me check on the number of girls that can sleep in the empty tent so we can adjust.” Mrs. Gonzales said
She gestured all of us to follow him into the tent where the boys had laid some mats for us to sleep since it was getting late. The students from other schools also had to make some adjustments to accommodate all of the girl scouts.
“Althea, can you check on the other tent if there is an available space? Only twelve students can fit in here so I think the others have to sleep there.” Mrs. Gonzales said to me who was standing by the entrance
“How many available spaces are here?” I asked as I popped my head
“8 students can still fit in here since our tent is a lot bigger than the other one,” Vladimir answered
“The remaining members of the team can sleep in the other tent because 8 students can fit in there,” I informed our adviser
“Those remaining freshmen can go with Althea to the other tent and sleep there,” she said
The freshmen immediately laid down on the space available leaving the space near the boys. I wanted to scold them as a senior but I can understand how they feel as they might not feel comfortable sleeping beside the boys.
“Oh looks like I will be sleeping beside you,” Vladimir whispered to me as soon as he saw the space
“Fine, you will be the best choice to sleep beside me since my other friends aren’t here. If only Daniel were here then I’d rather have him.” I sighed
“Of course, you would choose your ex-boyfriend. Who knows those old feelings might come back,” he said
I used my elbow to nudge him in the stomach which made him cough. I scowled at him so he can stop speaking. I cannot believe how he teases me when there are other people inside the tent listening and watching.
“It’s getting late so try to get some sleep even if the rain is too hard since we need to go home early tomorrow.” Mr. Mark announced before he left us.
I sat down on the space provided for me and tried looking around. I became uneasy as I have no bag to use as a pillow and blanket because all of them got wet.
“Aren’t you going to sleep? Almost everyone is sleeping already,” Vladimir asked as he sat down beside me
“I’m not sure if I can sleep since the rain and wind sound are too loud,” I whispered
“We can share my pillow and blanket since yours is wet,” he said
He laid down on his spot before patting on the extra space on his pillow for me to lay down. The person beside me was already sleeping as I lay down. Vladimir fixed the blanket. I stayed still as I stared at the darkness in front of me.
“Are you feeling uneasy?” he asked
“A little bit. I am not used to having someone sleep beside me but I am now in between two people and the space is a little bit tight.” I answered
“You can move closer to me if you don’t mind. There is some space between us but you keep sticking close to the person beside you.”
“I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
“It’s fine, you can even sleep in my arms if you want. We are close friends anyway so it’s not a big deal.”
“I won’t do that but if it's okay with you then can I sleep facing you,” I asked
“Sure, no problem,” he replied
I woke up at dawn the next day because of the noisy whistling of the wind. I slowly moved my head when I felt a warm wind on my face. I stretched my body slowly and massaged my neck who is a little sore due to the hard pillow. I slowly opened my eyes when I realized that the hard pillow was an arm.
“Good morning. How’s your sleep?” Vladimir asked
“Did I sleep in your arms the whole night?” I said stuttering as I sit right up
“Kinda. Haha, it wasn’t your fault. I offered it when you hugged me unconsciously.” he said
“I hugged you?” I said in a soft voice
He nodded his head as he stared at my face seriously. I could feel the warmth spreading on my face. I breathed in and out to relax because I wanted the earth to open up and devour me at that moment.
“Are you okay? I feel like you would explode any moment by how red your face is,” he asked again
I wanted to run away from him but I cannot do it at the moment because of the heavy rain outside. I am so embarrassed about what I did while I was asleep.
“You don’t have to feel embarrassed about that. You did it unconsciously and don’t worry because no one has seen it. It will only be between us.” he whispered
“I’m sorry.” I apologized while looking down
“I already told you that it’s not a big deal. It was just a hug anyway. A hug that you did while you were sleeping. Well, you can still hug me now that you are awake.” he joked
“Will you stop joking around? I am not proud of what I did while I was sleeping. I am used to hugging a pillow or a stuffed toy at home. Maybe I was thinking that you’re a stuffed toy.” I explained
“I am just trying to make you feel better because your face will explode soon. Ouch! It’s too hot.” he said after touching my face and then crazily blowing on his finger
I smiled because of what he did. He smiled back before fixing the blanket so that it would cover my back. We sat down there in silence covered in a blanket while waiting for the others to wake up.
“I have a question?” he said breaking the stillness between us
“What?” I said without looking at him
“Why did you join Girl Scouts? Not one of your friends joined.”
“It is not really up to me if I want to join or not. I have always been a member since primary school because Dad wants me to challenge myself.” I chuckled
“Then you should have invited your friends.”
“They are also members but they refused to join the camping now. They promised to join other activities but not this one.”
“That is why Ace has been bugging me to join,” he said softly
“What do you mean?”
“Ace was the reason why I joined. He had been convincing me for a month to join Boy Scouts and this camping thing. I understood why when they asked us to go help evacuate Girl Scouts and I saw you from afar.”
“Or maybe he just wants to have a friend around. Why are you always overthinking everything? It’s not like he knows that we will have our campsite nearby.” I scowled
“Still there are a lot of possibilities that our activities would cross each other,” he said shrugging
“You and your imaginations. Tsk tsk tsk. Wake up!” I said snapping in front of his face
“I am just making speculations but it might be true. We both don’t know why he joined Boy Scouts when he is also an introvert likes you.”
“Because he was also a member way back primary school. Why do you have to complicate things? Maybe he also wants to continue being one.” I said
“Everyone wake up! The cars will be here anytime soon so you better prepare your things. We cannot stay here any longer due to the typhoon.” Mr. Mark shouted as he popped his head into the tent which made Vladimir quiet
Everyone started waking up and sitting slowly. Most of them were in a daze for a few minutes before folding their blankets. We were still busy folding the mats when we heard a shout again.
“Those who are ready can go down now at the road. Some of the cars are already waiting there. The others should go first so that the adults can fix the things here. Just grab your bags and go. The pans, plates, and other things that you brought with you will be claimed at school next Monday.” someone shouted
“Do you want me to carry your bag?” Vladimir offered
“No, thanks. It isn’t that heavy so I can still manage.” I declined
“Tell me if you need help. I will walk with you and assist you.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it. I will ask for help if I needed it.” I smiled at him